Cuba & DominicaJavier Cochrane ! Allixier Hendrickson "

Jerry-Ann Irish " Julie Gordan ! Ken Christian ! Rosheda Plummer "

Historical Background:Cuba

Cub achieved independence from Spain in 1898 at the end of the Spanish-American war. The republic of Cuba was established in 1902 but remained a U.S protectorate until 1934. On January 1st 1959, the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista was overthrown, and Fidel Castro’s July 26th movement took power.

! Castro eliminated civil society, and tensions between his racial nationalist revolution and the U.S soon emerged. In late 1961, Castro declared his affiliation with communism and the country has since been governed by a one party system. ! Following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of Soviet subsidies, Cuba suffered an economic depression. In response, Castro opened some sectors of the economy to direct foreign investment, legalized use of the US dollar, and allowed limited self-employment. ! Inequality increased by access to dollars from remittances or through the tourism industry. The majority continued to live on Peso wages averaging less than $10 a month.! In 1999, Cuba and Venezuela began an economic partnership whereby Cuba received subsidized oil and provided Venezuela with technical and intelligence assistance.

! In 2002, the Varela Project championed by the dissident Oswaldo Payá and his Christian Liberation Movement, petitioned for a referendum on political platforms. The project obtained 100,000 signatures required by the 1976 constitution, but the national assembly rejected the proposal, instead, the held a referendum that declared the socialist system irrevocable. ! The government cracked down on the prodemocracy opposition in March 2003, with 75 individuals sentenced to long prison terms after summary trials.! In July 2006, ill Fidel Castro transferred provisional power to his younger brother Raúl Castro. Fidel officially resigned as president in February 2008 and Raúl, replaced him.! Beginning in 2008, the government approved a series of unprecedented economic reforms, some of which are: allowing Cubans to buy consumer electronic goods and raising pensions for retirees.

.! From July 2010 to March 2011, through negotiations with the Roman Catholic Church and the Spanish government, Cuban authorities released political prisoners and others from the 2003 crackdown. Some were forced into exile, others remained in Cuba under parole.! The Damas de Blanco(Ladies in White), a group of relatives of the 2003 political prisoners continued to protested into 2012 despite repeated harassment and the death of their leader Laura Pollen in 2011.

! In July 2012, Payá and fellow dissident Harold Cepero were killed when a car driven by Spanish political activist Ángel Carromero struck a tree. While Payá’s family mentions that the car was deliberately forced off the road, Carromero was convicted of manslaughter for the crash and sentenced to 4 years in prison in October. In December however, he was allowed to return to Spain to serve out his sentence. ! Short term political detentions continued to rise in 2012 intensifying around major events like the March visit of Pope Benedict XVI, the Payá accident, the first anniversary of Pollán’s death and International Human Rights Day on December 10th.! US government contractor, Alan Gross, remained in prison in 2012 after having being arrested in December 2009 for distributing communication equipment to Jewish groups in Cuba and sentenced to 15 years in prison for engaging in subversive activities aimed at undermining Cuban Sovereignty. A United Nations panel concluded that his detention was arbitrary and violated international human rights standards.

Historical Background:Dominica

" Geological speaking, Dominica is one of the

youngest islands in the Caribbean chain. It is a spry 26 million years old, yet still actively evolving with continuous geothermal activity. " Dominicas first inhabitants, the Ortoroids,

arrived in South America around 3100 B.C., and lasted on the island until 400 B.C. Next came the Arawaks, who settled in about 400 A.D. By 1400, the Kalinago or Caribs moved aggressively up the Caribbean from South America, eliminating the Arawaks from the region. When Columbus ushered in the era of colonization of Dominica in 1493, the same fate that befell the Arawaks would threaten the Caribs

" Ignoring the Kalinago name of “Waitukubuli” Columbus renamed the island Dominica as he first made landfall on a Sunday. The Spanish successfully resisted efforts of Spanish colonization, but the British and French followed from the 1600s on, battling each other, and the Caribs to claim the island. Through the many battles and ravaged by disease, the Caribs gradually lost control of the island, fleeing back to South America, however today, approximately 2,000 Caribs remain on the island, most living in the Carib Territory in the NorthEastern side of the country. It is noted that many of the village names in and around the country are a mixture of Carib, French and English..reflecting the power struggles of the last 500 years. " On November 3rd, 1978, the island was finally granted its independence from Britain. The new era of freedom and independence brought increased challenges as well as economic and political struggles.

." By the mid-1980s though, Dominica had settled down as a stable and peaceful country. The success of the banana trade, the islands major export, brought economic buoyancy to the island. " By 1992 however, Dominica saw sharp declines in banana trade exports with the loss of its preferential access on the UK Market.

" On August 27, 2015 a tropical storm passed over Dominica producing extraordinary rainfall with high intensity. Owing the mountainous island topography and the saturated condition of the soil, the heavy rainfall resulted in intense and rapid flooding. Dominica suffered severe infrastructural damage, primarily related to transportation, housing and agriculture with the worst damage occurring in the south and south east parts of the island.

Images From Hurricane Erika

Destruction.

.

! Cuban Flag & Coat of Arms !

Adopted on: May 20, 1902

 Three blue bands represent the three military districts of colonial Cuba - central, occidental, and oriental.

Two white bands stands for the purity of the patriotic cause.

 Red symbolizes the blood shed in the struggle for independence.

White Star is called La Estrella Solitaria (the Lone Star) and it represents independence and freedom.

 Triangle stands for equality, strength and constancy (equilateral triangles are Masonic symbols for equality)

The Cuban flag was created by Narciso López, a New York-based Cuban exile, using the suggestions of the Cuban poet Miguel Teurbe Tolón.

The arms were designed in 1848 by the Cuban poet Tolón and used initially by the independence movement abroad. Cuba became independent in 1902 and the arms were officially adopted on May 20, 1902. The arms were slightly amended (color and description) on January 6 and January 24, 1906.

The upper part symbolizes the important strategic position of Cuba (key between countries). The bends in the lower right half are taken from the national flag. The left half shows a palm tree and some mountains, symbolizing the nature of the country. Behind the shield are the symbols of liberty and freedom. The shield is surrounded by an oak and coffee branch, symbolizing the local flora and the importance of coffee for the economy.

" Dominican Flag & Coat of Arms "

The flag of the Commonwealth of Dominica consists of a circular emblem of red bearing a Sisserou Parrot standing on a twig encircled by ten lime green stars. This is superimposed on three vertical and three horizontal stripes of yellow, black and white forming a triple colored cross against a background of forest green.

The central emblem presents the National Bird of Dominica, the Sisserou parrot, also a symbol of flight toward greater heights and fulfillment of aspiration. The Parrot also comes from the Dominica Coat of Arms, thus symbolizing the official seal of the country.

The ten lime green stars - the traditional symbol of hope - represent the ten parishes of the country, each with equal status, thus the equality of our people. The red central emblem symbolizes Dominica's commitment to social justice.

The yellow, black and white stripes form a triple colored cross representing the Trinity of God. The cross itself demonstrates belief in God since the Commonwealth of Dominica is founded upon the principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God.

The yellow stripe represents the sunshine of our land, our main agricultural produce: citrus and bananas; and is also a symbol of the Carib and Arawak people, the first inhabitants of the Island.

The white stripe represents the clarity of our rivers and waterfalls and the purity of aspiration of our people.

The black stripe represents the rich black soil of our island on which our agriculture is based, as well as our African heritage.

The general background of the dark green

symbolizes our rich verdant forest and the

general lushness of the island.

The coat of arms of Dominica was adopted on July 21, 1961. It consists of a shield with two guardian sisserou parrots bracing the shield atop of which is a raging lion. The quadrants of the shield depict a canoe, a banana tree, a palm and a frog of the native species known as the mountain chicken. Below the shield is the national motto: Apres Bondie C'est La Ter (After God the Earth).

"Quarterly Or and Azure a cross filled counterchanged in the first quarter on a Rocky Mount Sable a Coconut Tree fructed proper in the second a Dominica Crapaud also proper in the third on Water Barry wavy a base a Carib canoe with sail set all likewise proper in the forth quarter on a Rocky Mount also sable a Banana Tree fructed also proper and for the crest. On a Wreath Argent and Azure a Rocky Mount Sable thereon a Lion Passant guardant Or and for the Supporters. On either side of Sisserou Parrot (Amazona imperialis) proper beaked and membered or together with the motto Apres Bondie C'est La Ter."

Cuba’s National AnthemFirst Stanza¡Al combate, corred, Bayameses!,Que la patria os contempla orgullosa;No temáis una muerte gloriosa,Que morir por la patria es vivir.Second Stanza

En cadenas vivir es vivirEn afrenta y oprobio sumidos,Del clarín escuchad el sonido;¡A las armas, valientes, corred! English Translation Run to battle, men of Bayamo!The motherland looks proudly to you; Do not fear a glorious death,Because to die for the motherland is to live.To live in chains, it's to liveMired in shame and disgrace, From the bugle hear the sound;Run, brave ones, to battle!

! About the NationalAnthem !

Originally, the song had six stanzas. The last four stanzas were removed in 1902 because the lyrics hurt the pride of the Spanish. Also, the section was too long compared to the other stanzas.

El Himno de Bayamo (The Bayamo Anthem) is the national anthem of Cuba. It was first performed during the Battle of Bayamo in 1868. Perucho Figueredo, who took part in the battle,

wrote and composed the song. The melody, also called La Bayamesa, was composed by Figueredo in 1867.

In addition to the Himno de Bayamo, there are two other well-known Cuban songs called La Bayamesa. The first Bayamesa was composed in 1851 by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and José

Fornaris at the request of their friend Francisco Castillo Moreno, who is sometimes also credited with the lyrics. After 1868, during the Cuban war, a "mambí" version of La Bayamesa became popular. It has the same melody but different lyrics. Many years later, in 1918, the composer and trovador Sindo Garay, from Santiago de Cuba, composed a song that he called Mujer

Bayamesa; popular usage shortened the title to La Bayamesa.

Dominica’s National Anthem

Isle of beauty, isle of splendour, Isle to all so sweet and fair, All must surely gaze in wonder, At thy gifts so rich and rare, Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains, All these gifts we do extol,Healthy lands so like all fountains, Giving cheer that warms the soul.

Dominica God hath blest thee, With a clime benign and bright, Pastures green and flow’rs of beauty, Filling all with pure delight, And a people strong and healthy, Full of Godly reverent fear, May we ever seek to praise thee, For these gifts so rich and rare.

Come ye forward, sons and daughters, Of this Gem beyond compare,Strive for honour sons and daughters, Do the right be firm be fair, Toil with hearts and hands and voices, We must prosper! Sound the call, In which everyone rejoices, "All for Each and Each for All".

" About the National Anthem "

"Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour" is the popular title for the national anthem of the Commonwealth of Dominica. It was adopted upon the island gaining statehood in 1967 and again with Dominica’s independence in 1978.

The Dominica National Anthem, popularly referred to as "The Isle of Beauty" was retained on achieving Independence; during the period preceding Associated Statehood with Britian, it was referred to as the National Song. The words were composed by the late Reverend W.O.M. Pond and put to music by L.M. Christian.

! Main Industries "

Cuba’s Main Industries: Sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals

Dominica’s Main Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes, bananas

Cuba’s Location

Cuba is located 21.5218 North (N) Longitude & 77.7812 West (W) Latitude.

Dominica’s Location

Dominica is located roughly 15 degrees north (N) Longitude & 61 degrees west (w) Latitude.

Cuba’s Natural Resources

According to www.azomining.com it is said that Cuba has

been importing 100000 bbl/d(Barrels per day) of oil from

Venezuela on a conditional basis where part of the payment is

through services from Cuba. The Ministerio de la Industria

Basica (Ministry of Basic Industries) was government agency

taking care of the country’s mineral and petroleum sectors.

The chief mineral resourced in Cuba which aided its economy

in 2010 were nickel and cobalt. The mining sector also

produced other minerals such as cement, feldspar, gypsum,

iron ore, lime, limestones, asphalt, bentonite, chromite, zeolite,

marble, steel and sulfuric.

Mineral fuel production statistics for 2010 is as follows:

Petroleum cake production increased by 120% to 41000 barrels

Liquefied petroleum gas production 28.6%

Lubricants production 25.9%

Gasoline production 15.4%

Crude petroleum production by 10.7%

Dominica’s Natural

ResourcesDominica mining sector played a minor role in its economy. Pumice was the major commodity extracted from the island for export. Dominica produced clay limestone, volcanic ashes, sand and gravel, primarily for the construction industry. There is some mining potential in Dominica, especially in the island’s northeast where there are believed to be deposits of copper.

! Special National Holidays:Cuba !January 1`

Triumph of the Revolution Triunfo de la Revolución January 2 Victory of Armed Forces Day Día de Victoria de las Fuerzas ArmadasDate varies Good Friday Viernes Santo May 1 Labour Day Día de los trabajadoresJuly 25 Day before the Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada Garrison Conmemoración del asalto a Moncada

July 26 Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada garrison (Official name means "Day of the National Rebellion") Día de la Rebeldía NacionalJuly 27 Day after the Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada Garrison Conmemoración del asalto a MoncadaOctober 10 Independence Day Día de la IndependenciaDecember 25 Christmas Navidad

" Special National Holidays:Dominica "

January 1 New Year's Day February or March Carnival Monday March or April Good Friday Easter Monday 1st Monday in May Labour Day May or June Whit Monday

1st Monday in August Emancipation Day November 3 Independence Day November 4 Community Service Day December 25 Christmas DayDecember 26 Boxing Day

! Cuba’s Religion !Cuba is a multiracial society with a population of mainly Spanish and African origins. The largest organized religion is the Roman Catholic Church. Afro-Cuban religions, a blend of native African religions and Roman Catholicism, are widely practiced in Cuba. Officially, Cuba has been an atheist state for most of the Castro era. In 1962, the government of Fidel Castro seized and shut down more than 400 Catholic schools, charging that they spread dangerous beliefs among the people. In 1991, however, the Communist Party lifted its prohibition against religious believers seeking membership, and a year later the constitution was amended to characterize the state as secular instead of atheist.

Although nearly 90 percent of the population was nominally Roman Catholic in pre-revolutionary Cuba, the number of practicing Roman Catholics was probably less than 10 percent. Other estimates suggest that about half of all Cubans were agnostic, that slightly more than 40 percent were Christian, and that less than 2 percent practiced Afro-Cuban religions. Membership in other religions, including Judaism, was limited.

There is no independent authoritative source on the size or composition of religious institutions and their membership. The Roman Catholic Church estimates that 60 to 70 percent of the population is Catholic but that only 4 to 5 percent regularly attend mass. Membership in Protestant churches is estimated at 5 percent of the population. Baptists and Pentecostals are likely the largest Protestant denominations. Jehovah’s Witnesses reported approximately 94,000 members; Seventh-day Adventists and Methodists each estimated 30,000; Anglicans, 22,000; Presbyterians, 15,000; Quakers, 300; and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), 50. The Jewish community estimated 1,500 members of whom 1,200 reside in Havana. According to the Islamic League, there are approximately 6,000 to 8,000 Muslims, although only an estimated 1,000 are Cubans. Other religious groups include the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, Buddhists and Baha’is.

" Dominica’s Religion "The dominant religion is Christianity, and some 77 percent of the island's residents are Roman Catholic. There are Anglican, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Jehovah's Witnesses communities. The minority religions are Islam, the Baha'i Faith, and Rastafarianism.

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The Government at all levels generally protects this right in full, and does not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors.

The Government is secular, but most government officials are Christian. The Government does not restrict an individual's right to worship. The Government does not take any steps to promote interfaith understanding but also does not monitor or discriminate according to religious faith. Christian holy days such as Good Friday, Easter, Whit Monday, and Christmas are national holidays.Government policy and practice contributed to the generally unrestricted practice of religion. Members of the Rastafarian community have complained that law enforcement officials unfairly target them. However, it is not clear whether such complaints reflect discrimination on the basis of religious belief by authorities or simply enforcement of laws against marijuana, which is used as part of Rastafarian religious practice.

There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees.

! Special Cultural Events:Cuba !

Special cultural events for Cuba includes;

Cuba’s annual carnival in Santiago de

Cuba begins from the 18th

of July leading

to the 27th

of the said month. Trending

other cultural events such as Trinidad

cross procession and May Day. The

Santiago carnival started as a religious

event also involving traditional activities

such as dancing, the music, cuisine and

the costume designs for the carnival. The

festival included much traditional

activities that we inherited from colonial

days when things were much different and

not so modern in today’s Cuban society.

" Special Cultural Events:

Dominica "Special cultural events for Dominica includes: Carnival celebration, which begins as early as January and will endure till the ending of March or the first week in April. The Celebration of emancipation is also a special cultural event of Dominica and is specially dedicated to the months of July and august where slaves from colonial days are honored for the abolishment of slavery back in the pre industrialized society. Dominica participate in other activities such as creole day or even world creole music festival, also festivals such as goat fest, kalinago week and heritage day are a few other festivals.

CUBA

!

!!

DOMINICA

"

"

""